Picacho Peak Wilderness

Introduction

The United States Congress designated the Picacho Peak Wilderness (map) in 1994 and it now has a total of 8,860 acres.
All of this wilderness is located in California and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Description

Dark gray, massive mountains extending southeast from Indian Pass make up the central and western portions of the diminutive Picacho Peak Wilderness. Mica Peak stands near the center of this range, the highest point in the Wilderness at 1,499 feet. South of these mountains, benchland rolls away, dissected by narrow arroyos with vertical walls. The northeastern section of the area makes up a third distinctive region: open basins and large washes overlooked by small peaks. In Gavilan Wash on the north and Carrizo Wash on the east, you'll find the lowest points in the region. Carrizo Wash holds a natural rock tank at the foot of Carrizo Falls that traps the runoff from desert cloudbursts. From above the tank, rainwater cascades 40 feet down a series of rock ledges into a pool lined with cattails, a desert oasis for a variety of wildlife including bighorn sheep.

You may see some wild horses and burros roaming Picacho Peak Wilderness, or a desert tortoise burrowing into the soft volanic soil. You also may discover a couple of unmaintained, two-track trails to follow. Picacho Peak itself lies southeast of the Wilderness boundary.

Planning to Visit the Picacho Peak Wilderness?

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Picacho Peak Wilderness.